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Follow, Like and Watch the Absa Cape Epic Live

2019-03-13

This year you will be able to get closer than ever to the Absa Cape Epic, by following the action from the Untamed African Mountain Bike Race live from the trails or via the growing range of digital mediums. If spectating is not enough, you can engage further and play the Epic Fantasy League too. This is how you can ensure you do not miss a beat from the moment the first riders roll of the start ramp at UCT on the 17thof March until the last riders cross the finish line at Val de Vie Estate on the 24th.

Trail Side SpectatingThe best way to immerse yourself in the Absa Cape Epic action is to follow the race as it winds its way through the Cape Winelands. Grab Mountain Bike Magazine’s Official 2019 Event Guide to read all about who to watch and where each stage’s spectator points are located. If you cannot get down to good newsagents in time, you can find all the spectator point details on the website and app; including expected times of arrivals for the leading men and women, plus the Google maps locations of each venue and directions from the race village to each point.

If this is your first time following the race from point-to-point it is essential to remember a few key points:

Respect the riders: always obey the marshals at spectator points and road crossings. Follow the official race signage to spectator points to avoid driving on roads the riders may be racing on.

Apply sunscreen: even if it is overcast you may end up being exposed to UV rays for longer than you expect.

Make a noise: cheer, shout and ring cow bells. Do whatever you can to encourage the riders as they race by.

Prepare: check the spectator guide listings for each venue so you know what to expect. Some are at fantastic wine farms where meals can be purchased, while others are a lot more Spartan.

Load data on your phone: you will be able to watch the live feed from your mobile device so make sure you have data on your phone so you know what is happening in the race before the riders even reach the spectator points.

Watch it LiveIn 2019, the Absa Cape Epic will be broadcasting live on www.cape-epic.com and on the event’s official Facebook page. You will be able to watch from the comfort of your home, on the sly from your office or on your mobile device while waiting for the riders to pass you on the route.

Stage

Date

Broadcast Times

Prologue: UCT - UCT

17 March

09:30 - 13:30

Stage 1: Hermanus – Hermanus

18 March

9:00 - 13:00

Stage 2: Hermanus – Oak Valley

19 March

9:00 - 12:00

Stage 3: Oak Valley – Oak Valley

20 March

9:00 - 13:00

Stage 4: Oak Valley – Oak Valley (Time Trial)

21 March

7:00 - 11:00

Stage 5: Oak Valley – Stellenbosch

22 March

9:00 - 13:00

Stage 6: Stellenbosch – Stellenbosch

23 March

9:00 - 12:00

Stage 7: Stellenbosch – Val de Vie

24 March

09:30 - 13:30

Ticker Tape UpdatesIf you are weary of blowing all your bandwidth watching the live broadcast, or if you need to know what is happening in the race before the live broadcast starts, you can follow on www.cape-epic.com. The race’s website will feature a live ticker with updates from the course throughout the eight days of racing.

Spot on TrackingEach team in the 2019 Absa Cape Epic will carry a SPOT GPS tracker. So you will be able to track their progress along the route; seeing where they are, how fast they are moving and where their nearest rivals are in comparison. For trail side fans this is an essential helping hand, because knowing when the team you support is going to reach a point will ensure you do not miss them while ordering coffee. You can filter the riders by categories, positions on the general classification or simply enter the surname or number of the team you are following and mark them as a favourite. Then whenever you log on to www.cape-epic.comor the Epic Series app you’ll be able to see their progress.

Download the AppThe updated Epic Series app which will allow you to follow the race live – more simply than ever before. It provides access to SPOT’s GPS tracking, the Live Ticker updates, Social Media feeds, Results, Schedules, Spectator Information and Routes. It is available for Apple and Android devices and can be downloaded here: App Store| Google Play . Search for Epic Series.

Social NetworkingThroughout the eight days of the 2019 Absa Cape Epic the race’s social media handles will be in overdrive; posting updates, insights into life in the race village, results, stunning photos and captivating videos. If you do not already follow the event across Facebook, Twitter and Instagram you should rectify that now. You can also subscribe to the event’s YouTube channel to receive notifications when new videos are released.

Relive the HighlightsEvery day the Absa Cape Epic videography team puts together a range of productions that captured the essence of that stage’s racing and riding. From news round-up to the Epic Moments you will be able to relive the action in glorious high definition. The premier production though is the daily television show, which focuses on the UCI Men’s and Women’s racing at the sharp end of the field. Check the table below for your local schedule.

Country

Channel

Pan Africa

SuperSport

Australia

SBS

New Zealand

Sky Sports

Portugal

Sport TV

Switzerland/ Liechstenstein

MySports

Balkan States

Sportklub

Czech Republic / Slovakia

Sport 5

Poland

Sportklub

Pan Asia

Outdoor Channel Asia

Pan Asia

FOX Sports Asia

Croatia

SPTV

Greece / Cyprus

Novasports

Norway

Fatstone

Ukraine

X-Sport

United Kingdom

Sports Channel Network

Worldwide

Olympic Channel

VIP TreatmentExperience the Absa Cape Epic in style by booking a VIP route tour or even a helicopter flight over the route. The route tours will take place on Stages 1, 3, 4 and 6, from Hermanus High School, Oak Valley Estate and the University of Stellenbosch’s Sports Fields. Fans joining the tours will experience insights from knowledgeable guides which extend beyond mountain biking into the diverse fauna and flora plus the fascinating history of the regions the race passes through. To book a Route Tour click here.

To get a bird’s eye view of the route fans can join Cape Town Helicopters and soar over the race. This provides a unique view of the challenges faced by the riders and a dramatic overview of the event. To book a flight click here.

Thanks to Bike Hub, fans of the Absa Cape Epic will once again be able to engage with the race to in-depth levels through the Epic Fantasy League predictor game. To play simply sign-up for free and then, before the race, select who you believe will win each category. Once your overall – UCI Men, UCI Women, Absa African Men, Absa African Women, Exxaro, Virgin Active Mixed, Dimension Data Master’s and Grand Master’s – category winners have been selected you can then select likely stage winners from each category. To sign in, set up your profile and select your picks visit www.epicfantasyleague.co.za. Some awesome prizes from Assos, Devil’s Peak, Land Rover, Squirt, Oakley, Amped and USN can be won.

Read all about itRead all the latest news about the 2019 Absa Cape Epic on www.cape-epic.com.

Celebrate at Val de VieJoin in the celebrations at the Grand Finale on Sunday the 24thof March at Val de Vie Estate. The race winners are expected across the line at 10:40am and prize giving is scheduled to start at 13:00. Come through early; make a morning of it, soaking up the last of the Absa Cape Epic atmosphere, and secure your spot along the finish line or on the grand stands. If you would like to watch from the lap of luxury you can book a spot, or make a corporate block booking, in the Absa Hospitality Lounge. For more information or to book contact Jana Rosslee at hospitality@cape-epic.comor on +27 (0) 21 426 4373.

Aside from the VIP area in the Absa Hospitality Lounge there will also be food stalls, the Absa Cape Epic Merchandise Store, big screens to view the action unfold on the stage in the Edge Chill Zone and Virgin Active Club V for the younger mountain biking fans. Enjoy the vibe on the finish line which provides a fitting end to the 2019 Absa Cape Epic.